Microneedle processing apparatus and microneedle processing method

Abstract

The present invention provides a microneedle processing apparatus and a microneedle processing method that can smoothly separate microneedles from a support member. [Solution] A processing device EA for a microneedle MN having a projection MN1, comprising a support means 10 for supporting the microneedle MN formed in a support member 14 having a first recess 14B corresponding to the projection MN1 and a second recess 14C not corresponding to the projection MN1, a separating means 30 for separating the microneedle MN from the support member 14 in a holding member 32 that holds the microneedle MN, and a biasing means 40 for biasing the microneedle portion MN2 that has entered the second recess 14C toward the holding member 32.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a micro-needle processing apparatus and a micro-needle processing method.

Background Art

[0002] A processing apparatus for a micro-needle having a protrusion is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the manufacturing apparatus (processing apparatus) for the needle-like body 31 (micro-needle) described in Patent Document 1, in the needle-like body transfer plate 21 (support member) having the protrusion pattern 4 (first recess) formed on the upper surface of the pedestal portion 6 on the base surface 7 and the recess (second recess) recessed along the side wall surface 8 of the pedestal portion to the base surface 7, when forming a micro-needle, the micro-needle enters into the second recess that does not correspond to the protrusion, and there is a disadvantage that the micro-needle cannot be smoothly separated from the support member.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a micro-needle processing apparatus and a micro-needle processing method capable of smoothly separating a micro-needle from a support member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention employs the configuration described in the claims.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the portion of the microneedle that has entered the second recess is biased toward the holding member, thereby allowing the microneedle to be smoothly separated from the support member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] An explanatory diagram of a microneedle processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the X, Y, and Z axes are orthogonal to each other. The X and Y axes are axes within a predetermined plane, and the Z axis is an axis perpendicular to the predetermined plane. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when directions are indicated based on a view from the front direction of Figure 1, which is parallel to the Y axis, "up" is the direction of the Z-axis arrow and "down" is the opposite direction, "left" is the direction of the X-axis arrow and "right" is the opposite direction, and "front" is the front direction in Figure 1, which is parallel to the Y axis and "back" is the opposite direction.

[0010] The processing apparatus EA is a processing apparatus for a microneedle MN having a projection MN1, and comprises: a support means 10 that performs a material support step of supporting the microneedle MN formed in a support member 14 having a first recess 14B corresponding to the projection MN1 and a second recess 14C not corresponding to the projection MN1 with the support member 14; a pressing means 20 that performs a pressing step of pressing a plastic material PM onto the support member 14 to fill the first recess 14B and form a microneedle MN with the plastic material PM in the first recess 14B as the projection MN1; a separating means 30 that performs a separating step of separating the microneedle MN from the support member 14 with a holding member 32 that holds the microneedle MN; and a biasing means 40 that performs a biasing step of biasing the microneedle portion MN2 that has entered into the second recess 14C toward the holding member 32.

[0011] The support means 10 comprises a linear motor 11 as a drive device, a base 12 supported by the slider 11A of the linear motor 11 and having a gas supply hole 12A formed therein, an annular thickness adjustment member 13 supported by the base 12, and a support member 14 positioned inside the thickness adjustment member 13 and supported by the base 12. The support member 14 includes a support surface 14A for supporting the plastic material PM, a first recess 14B formed in the support surface 14A, a second recess 14C, and a gas ejection hole 14D that penetrates the support member 14 and connects the gas supply hole 12A and the second recess 14C. In this embodiment, the second recess 14C is composed of a plurality of grooves extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

[0012] The pressing means 20 includes a linear motor 21 as a driving device and a pressing member 22 supported on the output shaft 21A of the linear motor 21.

[0013] The separation means 30 includes a linear motor 31 as a moving device, a holding member 32 supported by the output shaft 31A of the linear motor 31 and holding the microneedle MN, and a depressurization means 33 such as a depressurization pump or a vacuum ejector. The holding member 32 includes a holding surface 32A for holding the microneedle MN, a first suction port 32B and a second suction port 32C formed on the holding surface 32A, and a communication hole 32D connected to the depressurization means 33 via piping 33A and communicating with the first suction port 32B and the second suction port 32C. The second suction port 32C is formed at a position corresponding to the second recess 14C, and in this embodiment, it is formed to be larger than the outer shape of the second recess 14C.

[0014] The biasing means 40 is also used as the separating means 30 and includes a second suction port 32C, a depressurizing means 33, and a gas supply means 41 such as a pressurizing pump or turbine that is connected to the gas supply port 12A via piping 41A and supplies gas such as air or gas.

[0015] The operation of the above processing unit EA will now be explained. First, the user of the processing device EA (hereinafter simply referred to as "user") inputs a signal to start automatic operation to the processing device EA, in which each component is positioned at the initial position shown by the solid line in Figure 1, via an operating means (not shown) such as an operation panel or a personal computer. Next, when the user or a transport means (not shown) such as an articulated robot or a belt conveyor places the plastic material PM on the support surface 14A, the pressing means 20 drives the linear motor 21 and lowers the pressing member 22 until it contacts the thickness adjustment member 13, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1, thereby pressing the plastic material PM against the support member 14. As a result, the plastic material PM reaches the desired thickness and fills the first recess 14B, forming a microneedle MN with the plastic material PM in the first recess 14B as the protrusion MN1. At this time, the plastic material PM that protrudes from the outer edge of the support surface 14A enters the second recess 14C, becoming the microneedle portion MN2 in the second recess 14C.

[0016] Subsequently, the pressing means 20 drives the linear motor 21 to return the pressing member 22 to its initial position, and then the support means 10 drives the linear motor 11 to move the base 12 to position the microneedle MN below the holding member 32. Next, the separating means 30 drives the linear motor 31 to lower the holding member 32 as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1. Then, the separating means 30 drives the depressurization means 33, and the biasing means 40 drives the gas supply means 41, so that the microneedle MN is held in suction at the first suction port 32B and the second suction port 32C, and gas is blown from the gas ejection hole 14D onto the microneedle portion MN2 in the second recess 14C. As a result, the microneedle portion MN2 that has entered the second recess 14C is biased toward the second suction port 32C of the holding member 32, and as shown in the diagram labeled AA in Figure 1, the microneedle portion MN2 becomes easier to remove from the second recess 14C. Next, the separation means 30 drives the linear motor 31 and returns the holding member 32 to its initial position, thereby separating the microneedle MN from the support member 14.

[0017] Subsequently, when the transport means (not shown) supports the microneedle MN, the separation means 30 and the biasing means 40 stop driving the depressurization means 33 and the gas supply means 41, releasing the microneedle MN from the holding member 32 and transferring the microneedle MN to the transport means. Next, when the transport means transports the microneedle MN to the next process, the support means 10 drives the linear motor 11 to return the base 12 to its initial position, and the same operation is repeated thereafter.

[0018] According to the above embodiment, the microneedle portion MN2 that has entered the second recess 14C is biased toward the holding member 32, thereby allowing the microneedle MN to be smoothly separated from the support member 14.

[0019] As described above, the best configurations, methods, etc., for carrying out the present invention are disclosed in the above description, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, although the present invention is mainly illustrated and described in relation to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the embodiments described above in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed configurations without departing from the scope of the technical idea and objectives of the present invention. Furthermore, the descriptions of shapes, materials, etc. disclosed above are illustrative to facilitate understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention, so descriptions of components with some or all of those limitations removed are included in the present invention. Furthermore, the means and processes in the present invention are not limited in any way as long as they can perform the operations, functions, or processes described for those means and processes, and are certainly not limited at all to the components or processes of a single embodiment shown above. For example, the separating means can be any holding member that holds the microneedle and separates the microneedle from the support member, and is not limited in any way as long as it is within the scope of the common technical knowledge at the time of filing (the same applies to other means and processes).

[0020] The support means 10 may include a pressure reducing means such as a vacuum pump or a vacuum ejector that holds the thickness adjusting member 13 and the support member 14 on the base 12, or a support member holding means such as a chuck motor, or may not include the thickness adjusting member 13. The thickness adjusting member 13 may be made of metal, resin, silicone material, rubber material, wood, paper, pottery, etc., and may not be annular (the outer periphery is not connected), or may be circular, elliptical, polygonal, or other shapes. The thickness of the thickness adjusting member 13 is not particularly limited, and any thickness can be adopted in consideration of the height of the support member 14, the thickness of the plastic material PM, the thickness of the micro needle MN, etc. The support member 14 may be made of metal, resin, silicone material, rubber material, wood, paper, pottery, etc. The second recess 14C may be a hole instead of a groove, and the number of the second recesses 14C may be 1 or a plurality. In order to easily separate the micro needle MN from the support member 14, a separation improving member such as fluorine or silicone may be coated, applied, or laminated on the support surface 14A and the recesses 14B and 14C.

[0021] The pressing means 20 may include a heating means such as a coil heater that heats the plastic material PM or the heating side of a heat pipe, or a cooling means such as a Peltier element that cools the micro needle MN and the support member 14 or the cooling side of a heat pipe. The plastic material PM may be pressed against the support member 14 in a reduced pressure atmosphere. It may or may not be provided in the processing apparatus EA of the present invention. When not provided, the plastic material PM may be pressed against the support member 14 by another device or manually.

[0022] Instead of or in combination with the holding member 32, the separation means 30 may include, for example, a suction pad as a holding member. The second suction port 32C may be arranged above the protrusion MN1, or may be arranged at a position not corresponding to the protrusion MN1 or the micro needle portion MN2. The size of the second suction port 32C may be the same as or smaller than the outer shape of the second recess 14C. There may or may not be a first suction port 32B.

[0023] The biasing means 40 is not shared with the separating means 30 and may consist of a gas supply hole 12A, a pipe 41A, and a gas supply means 41, or it may consist of a second suction port 32C and a depressurizing means 33 without the gas supply hole 12A, the pipe 41A, and the gas supply means 41, or gas may be blown from the gas ejection hole 14D onto the plastic material PM before or after the suction of the plastic material PM is started at the second suction port 32C, or the plastic material PM may be biased toward the holding surface 32A or the first suction port 32B, or the plastic material PM may be biased toward the holding member 32 by contacting the plastic material PM with a pressing member such as a pin or a plate-shaped member.

[0024] The processing apparatus EA may form microneedles MN using a configuration other than the pressing means 20. For example, it may include a suction means for sucking up the plastic material PM through suction holes provided in the support surface 14A or the first recess 14B, and form microneedles MN by sucking up the plastic material PM and pressing it against the support surface 14A.

[0025] Plastic material PM is a material that deforms when energy such as heat or pressure is applied and does not return to its original shape afterward. Examples include metals, clay, and resins. In the case of resins, for example, any material that is plastic can be used, such as PET, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymer (PLGA). It may consist of a single component or multiple components, may be composed solely of plastic materials, or may be composed of plastic and non-plastic materials, may be thermoplastic or not, and other materials may be laminated onto the plastic material PM.

[0026] The tip of projection MN1 may be pointed, not pointed, rounded, arrowhead-shaped, or branched into two or three or more branches. The shape of projection MN1 may be a cone, pyramid, cylinder, prism, or a combination thereof.

[0027] The material, type, shape, etc., of the plastic material PM and microneedle MN are not particularly limited. For example, the plastic material PM and microneedle MN may be circular, elliptical, polygonal (such as triangle or square), or have other shapes. Furthermore, the microneedle MN may be any type as long as it has a projection MN1, such as a single layer of only the plastic material PM layer, a two-layer structure with a substrate and a plastic material PM layer laminated together, or a three-layer or more structure with one or more intermediate layers laminated between the substrate and the plastic material PM layer.

[0028] The drive equipment in the above embodiment may be electric motors such as rotary motors, linear motors, single-axis robots, and so-called articulated robots with two or three or more joints, or actuators such as air cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, rodless cylinders, and rotary cylinders, either individually or in combination directly or indirectly. Furthermore, the drive equipment may be capable of or incapable of torque control or speed control of the output section of the electric motors or actuators.

[0029] In the above embodiment, an object (hereinafter referred to as "object A") and an object moving relative to object A (hereinafter referred to as "object B"), that is, object A and object B moving relative to object A, may be such that object B moves relative to object A which does not move, object A moves relative to object B which does not move, or both object A and object B move, and either object A or object B may move as long as the result achieved by the movement is the same. If a means of pressing the object to be pressed, such as a pressing roller or pressing head, or a pressing member, is used, then rollers, round bars, blade materials, brush-like members may be used instead of or in combination with those exemplified above. In addition, methods such as blowing gases like air or other gases may be employed, the pressing material may be made of a deformable material such as rubber, resin, or sponge, or it may be made of a non-deformable material such as metal or glass, and if a support (holding) means or support (holding) member is used to support (hold) the supported member, a configuration may be adopted in which the supported member is supported (held) by gripping means such as mechanical chucks or chuck cylinders, Coulomb force, adhesive (adhesive sheet, adhesive tape), adhesive agent (adhesive sheet, adhesive tape), magnetic force, Bernoulli adsorption, suction adsorption, drive equipment, etc., and if a biasing means is used, it may be made of a spring, rubber, resin, or drive equipment, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0030] EA… Processing Unit 10...Support means 14…Support member 14B...First recess 14C…Second recess 20... means of pressing 30...Separation means 32…Retaining member 40... Biasing means MN... Microneedle MN1…Protrusion MN2... Microneedle portion PM…Plastic material

Claims

1. A processing device for microneedles having protrusions, A support means for supporting the microneedle formed in a support member having a first recess corresponding to the projection and a second recess not corresponding to the projection, The holding member that holds the microneedle comprises a separating means for separating the microneedle from the support member, A microneedle processing apparatus characterized by comprising a biasing means for biasing the portion of the microneedle that has entered the second recess toward the holding member.

2. The microneedle processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a pressing means for pressing a plastic material against the support member to fill the first recess, thereby forming the microneedle with the plastic material in the first recess as the projection.

3. A method for processing microneedles having protrusions, A support step of supporting the microneedle formed in a support member having a first recess corresponding to the projection and a second recess not corresponding to the projection with the support member, The holding member that holds the microneedle performs a separation step in which the microneedle is separated from the support member. A method for processing microneedles, characterized by performing a biasing step in which the microneedle portion that has entered the second recess is biased toward the holding member.

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